Deirdre connelly biography

Deirdre P. Connelly is a Puerto Rican business professional.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ms. Connelly earned a bachelor's degree in economics and business management from Lycoming College and is a graduate of Harvard.
Born in San Juan, Connelly earned a bachelor's degree in Economics and Marketing from Lycoming College.

•

Woman of the Year: Deirdre Connelly

When you've been in pharma for 25-plus years, you've likely had to wear a lot of different hats. Deirdre Connelly, president of North America Pharmaceuticals for GlaxoSmithKline, has collected more hats than most of her peers; she could almost outfit an entire baseball team.

Connelly, 49, is based in Philadelphia these days. But she started off as a humble rep at Eli Lilly in 1984, and from there doggedly rose through the ranks: general manager for Eli Lilly Puerto Rico in 1995; regional sales director in 1997; head of the women's health business unit at Lilly's US affiliate in 2000, where she oversaw the successful implementation of the global marketing campaign for osteoporosis treatment Evista; executive director of US human resources in 2004; and, finally, president of US operations in 2005.

PHOTO BY BILL BERNSTEIN

Fortune named her one of its 50 Most Powerful Women in business three years straight. She came in at no. 47 in 2007, no. 42 in 2008, and as of this year she's sitting pretty at no. 37. And

•

2010 Deirdre P. Connelly

Deirdre Connelly announced as 2010 Woman of the Year

The Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) announced Deirdre P. Connelly as its 2010 Woman of the Year. Recognized for three consecutive years by Fortune magazine as one of the 50 most powerful women in business, Ms. Connelly is a respected leader in healthcare whose intense commitment to the patient has long driven her to foster innovation within the pharmaceutical industry.

“I am deeply honored to be named Woman of the Year by the HBA,” said Ms. Connelly. “I have not only been fortunate to have mentors throughout my own career but have also experienced firsthand the HBA’s commitment to develop and inspire female executives in healthcare.”

While the HBA annually receives many compelling nominations for the WOTY award, the 2010 HBA nominating committee overwhelmingly agreed that Ms. Connelly’s many accomplishments embodied the criteria for Woman of the Year, which includes success in the healthcare industry, strong leadership capabilities, proven mentoring skills, dedication, a comm

•

Deirdre Connelly to join GSK as President, North American Pharmaceuticals

Issued: Friday 30 January 2009, London, UK & Philadelphia, US

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) today announced that Deirdre Connelly will join the company as President, North American Pharmaceuticals, effective Monday 9 February 2009. She will report to Andrew Witty, Chief Executive Officer and become a member of GSK’s Corporate Executive Team.

Andrew Witty, Chief Executive Officer, said, “GSK’s US pharmaceuticals business is a critical component of our strategy and future performance. It is also operating in a highly competitive and rapidly changing environment. As an accomplished senior leader within our industry, Deidre is somebody who truly understands the needs of patients and our customers and can drive the efforts we are making to reshape this business and improve future growth. I look forward to welcoming her to GSK and the Corporate Executive Team.”

Deirdre was appointed President of US operations at Eli Lilly and Company in 2005.

She joined Lilly in 1983 as a sales representative and has held sal